Into 3D Design: A Simple Backpack Organizer

One of the most worthwhile purchases I made this year was my 3D printer. The first time I saw 3D printers in action was back in university, when I was part of the Rover Team. The mechanical team was designing the chassis and the robotic arm using CAD tools. Many of the parts, wheel hubs, motor mounts, joints, and even the gears inside the gripper were all 3D printed. I was amazed by how a machine like this works with such precision.

For a long time, owning a 3D printer felt like something I wanted “one day.” Eventually, I decided to get one, initially thinking of it simply as a fun toy to play with. After going through a few spools of filament, I felt confident enough to move beyond printing existing models and start learning 3D design myself. I believe the best way to learn is by building, especially building something useful, something that doesn’t already exist. For a first design, it also needed to be simple.

So this is what I came up with: an organizer for my daily backpack.

Top compartment organizer for the Thule Accent backpack

It’s designed to hold two pairs of glasses, an AirPods case (or a similarly sized item), and a stack of glasses-cleaning wipes. It’s printed in PLA and covered with felt. The design prevents items from scratching each other and keeps the top pocket neatly organized.